Charity was painted by Benjamin West in 1779.

Where can I see Charity?

Charity is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Charity?

Charity is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Charity

Benjamin West , 1779

Charity is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Benjamin West. It dates from 1779 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right in graphite: B. West; lower center on mount in graphite: Charity

About this work

Overview

Charity is a drawing executed by the American‑born painter Benjamin West in 1779. Rendered in pen and brown ink with a brown wash, the image is presented on gray paper that has been adhered to a brown laid sheet, giving the work a muted, tonal surface. The piece exemplifies West’s interest in allegorical subjects during his early career.

Technique & Style

The artist employed a combination of fine pen work and broader ink washes to model forms, creating a subtle gradation of tone across the composition. The brown wash, applied over the gray ground, unifies the drawing’s elements while preserving the delicate line quality characteristic of West’s draftsmanship. The choice of laid paper as a backing adds a textured, historic feel to the sheet.

Context

Created toward the end of the eighteenth century, the drawing reflects the period’s fascination with moral and charitable themes, often depicted through allegorical figures. West, then establishing his reputation in London, frequently used such subjects to convey Enlightenment ideals, aligning his work with contemporary intellectual currents that emphasized virtue and public benevolence.

Artist & collection

Artist

Benjamin West

Benjamin West (October 10, 1738 – March 11, 1820) was an American-born British painter who specialised in history painting, creating such works as The Death of Nelson, The Death of General Wolfe, the Treaty of Paris,…